Foldable element for hanging display of a garment

ABSTRACT

A foldable display element for hanging display of a garment provides for multidirectional display of product indicia. The foldable display element includes a main body having opposite sides and opposite ends and an opening for receiving the hook of a hanger. The main body further includes fold lines extending from opposite sides of the opening to divide the main body into first and second panels. The foldable blank further includes a side panel connected to one of the sides of the main panel and extending laterally with respect to the main body. The side panel has opposite sides and includes a pair of closely spaced fold lines dividing the side panel into first and second sub-panels separated by a narrow intermediate panel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a foldable display element for merchandise such as a garment or the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a foldable display element for hanging display of a garment that provides for multidirectional display of product indicia.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the retail industry, it is common for certain forms of merchandise, such as garments and the like, to be presented for sale to consumers in a hanging display. In such a display, the garment is typically received by a support member, such as a hanger, having a hook that engages a display rod for support of the garment.

[0003] It is known to provide a display assembly for hanging display of a garment in which a foldable display element receives the hook of the support member for the garment and is supported by the hanger along with the garment. Such foldable elements, typically made of a paperboard material, may provide for protection of the garment and may also provide convenient surfaces for presentation of various indicia relating to the garment. Typical indicia relating to a displayed garment may include product identifying information such as branding information or photographic or other likeness of a person wearing the garment associated with the display assembly. The indicia may also include other product related information such as garment sizing information, UPC coding, information regarding product care, consumer warning information, etc.

[0004] Known foldable display elements include a main fold line that divides the display element into a front panel and a rear panel. The display elements include an opening that is located at, or near, the fold line for receipt of the hanger hook. The front panel of the display element typically bears indicia that identifies and distinguishes the associated garment such as branding information and photographic likeness of the garment, for example. The rear panel most commonly is reserved for general information regarding the product such as sizing information or care or warning information, for example. The display element therefore is designed to forwardly present the product identifying and distinguishing indicia to a consumer with respect to the display assembly. Such a construction may be sufficient in those situations where a consumer may readily gain access to the front of the displayed garments, by sliding the hook of the display assembly with respect to the display rod for example.

[0005] However, requirements for high volume sales have lead to increasingly crowded display conditions in many retail settings. The resulting close side-by-side positioning of displayed garments results in concealment of the front and back panels of the display element, and the product identifying and distinguishing indicia presented thereon, from consumers. Such concealment defeats the intent of the indicia for rapid identification of the displayed article. This is particularly detrimental where the manufacturer may have spend significant amounts of money in developing a trademark or a distinctive display that would serve to readily distinguish the garment if it was not concealed from view. In such a setting, a consumer would either have to forcibly separate adjacent ones of the displayed garments or physically remove the garment from the display rack in order to gain access to the indicia presented by the display assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to one aspect, the invention provides a foldable display element for hanging display of a garment that provides for multi-directional display of product indicia. The foldable display element includes a main body having opposite sides and opposite ends. The main body includes an opening for receiving a hanger and fold lines extending from opposite sides of the opening to the sides of the main body to divide the main body into first and second panels. The foldable display element further includes a side panel connected to one of the sides of the main panel and extending laterally with respect to the main body. The side panel includes a pair of relatively closely spaced fold lines extending between the opposite sides of the side panel to divide the side panel into first and second sub-panels located on opposite sides of a narrow intermediate panel. The fold lines of the side panel provide for a folded condition in which the second sub-panel overlies at least a portion of the first sub-panel.

[0007] According to another aspect, the invention provides an assembly for hanging display of a garment. The assembly includes a hanger and a folded display element including a body portion having an opening in which the hanger is received for support of the display element. The body portion includes fold lines extending from opposite sides of the opening to divide the body portion into front and rear panels. A lateral display portion of the folded display element extends from one side of the body portion and has a pair of closely spaced fold lines extending between opposite sides thereof. The fold lines form an extension panel connected to the body portion, an intermediate panel located between the fold lines and a return panel defining a terminal end of the lateral display portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a foldable display element according to the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the display element of FIG. 1 shown in a folded condition; and

[0010]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a foldable display element according to the present invention shown receiving the hook of a hanger for display of a Halloween costume.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Referring to the drawings where like numerals refer to like elements, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a foldable display element or blank 10 according to the present invention. The foldable display element or blank 10 has a front surface 11 and an opposite rear surface 13 and is preferably made from paperboard or cardboard.

[0012] The display element 10 includes a main body 12 having opposite sides 14 and 16 and opposite ends 15 and 17. The display element 10 further includes a side panel 18 having opposite sides 20, 22. The side panel 18 extends laterally from side 16 of the main body 12. The extension of side panel 18 from side 16 of main body 12 provides for lateral display of product indicia from main body 12 when the blank 10 is folded and received by a supported garment as will be described in greater detail.

[0013] The main body 12 includes an elongated slot 24 having opposite ends 26, 28. The slot 24 extends laterally across a middle portion of the main body 12 such that the slot 24 is located in a substantially central position between sides 14 and 16 of the main body 12. The main body 12 also includes fold lines 30, 32, most preferably crease lines, that extend between the sides 14, 16, respectively, of the main body 12 and the ends 26, 28, respectively of the slot 24. The fold lines 30, 32 and the slot 24 divide the main body 12 into first and second panels 34, 36, respectively. The fold lines 30, 32 and slot 34 are positioned between the ends 15, 17 such that they are closer to end 15 than to end 17 such that the first panel 34 has a height that is greater than that of the second panel 36. As shown in FIG. 2, the folding of the main body 12 along the fold lines 30, 32 positions the second panel 36 behind the first panel 34 such that the relatively smaller second panel 36 overlies a portion of the first panel 34. The fold lines 30, 32 are aligned with slot 24 such that the fold lines 30, 32 contact the ends 26, 28 of the slot 24 substantially centrally thereof thereby dividing the slot into halves when the main body is folded along the fold lines 30, 32 (FIG. 2).

[0014] The side panel 18 is connected to the first panel 34 of main body 12 such that side 22 of the side panel 18 joins side 16 of the main body 12 adjacent fold line 32. The side panel 18 will therefore extend from an uppermost portion of the main body 12 when the main body 12 is folded along fold lines 30, 32 (FIG. 2). The side panel 18 includes a pair of closely spaced fold lines 38, most preferably crease lines, that are located intermediately with respect to the side panel 18 and extend across the side panel 18 between sides 20, 22 of the side panel. The fold lines 38 divide the side panel 18 into first and second sub-panels 40, 42, respectively, located on opposite sides of the fold lines 38 and a relatively narrow intermediate panel 44 located between the fold lines 38. The first sub-panel 40 of the unfolded display element 10 of FIG. 1 is adjacent to the main body 12 with respect to the fold lines 38 and the second sub-panel is remote to the main body 12. As will be described in greater detail, when the display element 10 is folded, the first sub-panel 40 will extend from the main body 12 while the second sub-panel 42 will be returned toward the main body 12.

[0015] The sub-panels 40, 42 include curved extensions 46, 48, respectively, that project from side 22 of the side panel 18. The extensions 46, 48 have ends located at the fold lines 38 such that the extension 48 of sub-panel 42 will overly the extension 46 of sub-panel 40 when the side panel 18 is folded along fold lines 38 as shown in FIG. 2. The extensions 46, 48 are substantially equal in size. The fold lines 38 are closer to the intersection between sub-panel 40 and the first panel 36 of main body 12 than to an end 50 of sub-panel 42. As a result, sub-panel 42 has a width that is greater than that of sub-panel 40 and extends beyond an end of extension 48 to define an end portion 51 of sub-panel 42 at a terminal end of side panel 18.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 2, the display element 10 is shown in a folded condition. As described previously, main panel 12 is folded along fold lines 30, 32 such that the second panel 36 overlies a portion of the first panel 34 behind the first panel 34 in the view of FIG. 2. In the folded condition, the first panel 34 forms a front panel for the display element 10 and the second panel 36 forms a rear panel. The folding of the main panel 12 along fold lines 30, 32 positions the slot 24 in an upper location with respect to the main body 12. The above-described positioning of the fold lines 30, 32 to divide the opposite ends 26, 28 of slot 24 into halves causes the slot 24 to form a shallow notch when the main body 12 is folded along fold lines 30, 32.

[0017] The laterally extending side panel 18 is folded to cause return of sub-panel 42 such that sub-panel 42 substantially overlies sub-panel 40 but is separated from sub-panel 40, at least at one side of the sub-panels, by the intermediate panel 44. This returned configuration of the side panel 18 provides for presentation of the front surface 11 of the display element 10 from three principal directions. Specifically, with respect to FIG. 2, sub-panel 40 forms a first face the front surface 11 of side panel 18 is displayed substantially forwardly (sub-panel 40), rearwardly (sub-panel 42) and sidewardly (intermediate panel 44). Such multi-directional display of surface 11 is particularly beneficial for hanging display of a garment, such as a Halloween costume, in crowded conditions as will be described in greater detail.

[0018] The curved extensions 46 and 48 project from the side panels 40, 42, respectively, such that the extensions 46, 48 form uppermost portions of the display element 10. The position of end portion 50 of sub-panel 42 at the terminal end of side panel 18 positions the end portion 50 in an overlying relationship to the rear panel 36 of main body 12. This overlying position of end portion 50 provides for securement of the sub-panel 42 to the main body 12, if desired, by stapling for example.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown an assembly 52 that provides for hanging display of a Halloween costume 54 from a display rod 56. The assembly 52 includes a folded display element 58 that is identical to the folded display element 10 of FIG. 2 with the exception that the main body 12 and side panel 18 of display element 58 bear printed indicia relating to the supported and displayed costume 54. The hook 62 of a hanger 60 is received by slot 24 of the display element 58 such that the hook 62 extends from the display element 58 to engage display rod 56 for support of the hanger 60. The hanger 60 includes support arms 64 that extend laterally from a base portion of the hook 62 and prevent passage of the hanger 60 through the slot 24 thereby providing support for the display element 58. In the well-known manner, the laterally extending arms 64 also provide support for the Halloween costume 54.

[0020] The relatively large size of the front panel 34 of the main body 12 provides a suitable location for the presentation of product indicia which may include a photographic or artwork likeness 66 of the costume to identify the displayed costume 54 and distinguish it from other costumes. The relatively smaller size of the rear panel 36 (not shown) provides a suitable location for printed indicia such as costume size information, warning information, UPC coding, etc.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the multi-directional presentation that is provided by the returning side panel 18 is ideally suited for presenting printed indicia relating to the supported costume 54. The sub-panels 40, 42 and intermediate panel 44 of the side panel 18 bear smaller versions 68, 70, respectively, of the photographic or artwork likeness 66 from the first panel 34 of main body 12. Similar to likeness 66, the smaller versions 68, 70 identify the costume 54 being supported by the hanger 60. As described above, the returned side panel 18 provides for multi-directional presentation of the artwork versions 68, 70. The artwork versions 68 are presented substantially forwardly and rearwardly on sub-panels 40, 42, respectively, in the perspective view of FIG. 3, and version 70 is presented substantially sidewardly. Such multi-directional presentation of indicia such as artwork versions 68, 70 by the folded side panel 18 serves to distinguish the displayed costume 54 even when the costume is supported in crowded display conditions.

[0022] Although the present invention has been shown in FIG. 3 as providing support for Halloween costume 54, the invention is not so limited. The present invention has application for hanging display of garments and other merchandise that may be supported by a hanger for receipt by the hook portion of the hanger by slot 24.

[0023] The side panel 18 of the foldable display element need not be integrally formed with the main body 12 from a single section of a foldable material. In a variant of the invention, the side panel could be formed initially as a separate element for subsequent attachment to the first panel 34 of the main body 12. An adhesive placed on one of the surfaces of the side panel on a leading end portion thereof would provide a suitable method of attaching the side panel. The leading end portion of side panel would be positioned to overly the front surface 11 of the first panel adjacent side 16 for contact between the adhesive and the main body 12. Similarly, an adhesive could be placed on the opposite terminal end portion of the side panel for securing that end of the side panel to the rear surface 13 of front panel 34. It is also conceivable that the terminal end portion of second sub-panel the side panel could be secured, by gluing for example, to the leading end portion prior to attachment of the leading end portion to the main body 12.

[0024] As an alternative to gluing the terminal end portion of the side panel, or stapling as discussed above, the terminal end portion could include projecting tabs engaging corresponding slots in the main body 12 or in another part of the packaging associated with the folded display element 58. It is also conceivable that slots be included adjacent the leading end of the side panel for engagement by tabs located at the opposite terminal end. A folded and secured side panel could then be attached to the main body 12, by an adhesive for example. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A foldable display element that provides for hanging display of merchandise comprising: a main body having opposite sides and opposite ends, the main body including an opening adapted for receipt of a hanger, the main body further including a fold line on each of opposite sides of the opening that extends from the opening to one of the sides of the main body such that the fold lines and the opening divide the main body into first and second panels; and a side panel connected to one of the sides of the main body and extending laterally with respect to the main body, the side panel having opposite sides and including a pair of fold lines that extend between the opposite sides of the side panel, the fold lines of the side panel being intermediately located with respect to the side panel and relatively closely spaced such that the fold lines divide the side panel into first and second sub-panels on opposite sides of the fold lines and a narrow intermediate panel between the fold lines, the fold lines providing for a folded condition in which the second sub-panel overlies at least a portion of the first sub-panel to provide for multidirectional display of product indicia.
 2. The foldable display element according to claim 1, wherein the fold lines of the main body are located closer to one of the ends of the main body than to the other of the ends of the main body such that one of the panels of the main body is larger than the other one of the panels, the first panel being the larger one of the panels.
 3. The foldable display element according to claim 1, wherein the opening comprises an elongated slot that extends laterally with respect to the main body between the fold lines of the main body.
 4. The foldable display element according to claim 3, wherein the slot is aligned with the fold lines of the main body such that each fold line substantially divides an end of the slot, the slot forming a notch when the main body is folded along the fold lines.
 5. The foldable display element according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the pair of fold lines of the side panel and an intersection between the first sub-panel and the main body is less than a distance between the pair of fold lines and a terminal end of the second sub-panel such that the second sub-panel has a width that is greater than that of the first sub-panel, an end portion of the second sub-panel overlying a portion of the main body when the display element is folded.
 6. The foldable display element according to claim 1, wherein the side panel is connected to the first panel of the main body, one of the sides of the side panel joining the first panel adjacent one of the fold lines.
 7. The foldable display element according to claim 1, wherein each of the sub-panels includes a projection that extends from a first one of the sides of the side panel.
 8. The foldable display element according to claim 7, wherein each of the projections has an end that is located adjacent one of the fold lines of the side panel such that at least a portion of the projection of the second sub-panel will overly at least a portion of the projection of the first sub-panel when the display element is folded.
 9. The foldable display element according to claim 1 wherein the foldable display element includes a front surface and an opposite rear surface and wherein the front surface of at least the first panel of the main body bears indicia, the front surfaces of the first and second sub-panels and intermediate panel of the side panel also bearing indicia to provide for a multi-directional display of indicia when the display element is folded.
 10. The foldable display element according to claim 9, wherein the indicia on the first panel of the main body comprises a likeness of merchandise to be displayed and wherein the indicia on the sub-panels and intermediate panel of the side panel comprise likenesses of the merchandise that are substantially similar in appearance to the likeness on the main body but reduced in size.
 11. The foldable display element according to claim 1, wherein the display element is made from a paperboard material.
 12. The foldable display element according to claim 1, wherein the fold lines of the main body and the fold lines of the side panel comprise crease lines.
 13. A foldable blank for forming a display element for hanging display of a garment comprising: a body portion having opposite sides and opposite ends, the body portion including an opening for receiving a hanger, the body portion further including a fold line on each of opposite sides of the opening that extends from the opening to one of the sides of the body portion such that the fold lines and the opening divide the body portion into a front panel and a rear panel; and a lateral display portion extending from one of the sides of the body portion, the lateral display portion having opposite sides and including a pair of fold lines that extend between the opposite sides of the lateral display portion, the fold lines of the lateral display portion being intermediately located with respect to the lateral display portion and relatively closely spaced such that the fold lines divide the lateral display portion into a relatively narrow intermediate panel between the fold lines, an extension panel that is located adjacent to the main body with respect to the fold lines and a return panel that is located remote from the main body with respect to the fold lines when the blank is in an unfolded condition.
 14. The foldable display blank according to claim 13, wherein the lateral display portion is connected to the front panel of the body portion and wherein one of the sides of the lateral display portion joins the front panel adjacent to one of the fold lines.
 15. The foldable display blank according to claim 13, wherein the foldable blank includes a front surface and an opposite rear surface and wherein the front surface of at least the front panel of the body portion bears indicia, the front surfaces of the extension, return and intermediate panels of the lateral display portion also bearing indicia to provide for a multi-directional display of the indicia when the display element is folded.
 16. The foldable display blank according to claim 13, wherein a distance between the pair of fold lines of the lateral display portion and an intersection of the extension panel of the lateral display portion with the body portion is less than a distance between the fold lines of the lateral display portion and a terminal end of the return panel of the lateral display portion such that a portion of the return panel will overly a portion of the body portion when the blank is folded.
 17. An assembly for hanging display of a garment comprising: a hanger having a hook for engaging a display rod, the hanger further having a pair of support arms extending in opposite directions from a base of the hook for supporting a garment; and a folded display element including a body portion having an opening in which the hook of the hanger is received for support of the display element, the body portion having fold lines on opposite sides of the opening that extend between the opening and opposite sides of the body portion that divide the body portion into front and rear panels, the folded display further including a lateral display portion extending from one of the sides of the body portion and having a pair of closely spaced fold lines that extend between opposite sides of the lateral display portion, the lateral display portion including an intermediate panel that is located between the fold lines, the lateral display portion further including an extension panel having a first end connected to the body portion and an opposite second end located at one of the fold lines, the lateral display portion further including a return panel having a first end located at the other of the fold lines and an opposite second end defining a terminal end for the lateral display portion.
 18. The assembly according to claim 17, wherein the opening is an elongated slot that extends laterally with respect to the body portion between the fold lines of the body portion, the slot adapted to provide for contact between the support arms of the hanger and opposite ends of the slot.
 19. The display assembly according to claim 17, wherein a distance between first and second ends of the return panel of the lateral display portion is greater than a distance between the first and second ends of the extension panel of the lateral display portion such that a terminal end portion of the return panel overlies a portion of the body portion.
 20. The display assembly according to claim 17, wherein the foldable display element comprises a front surface and an opposite rear surface and wherein the front surface of the at least the front panel of the body portion bears a likeness of the garment being displayed, the front surfaces of each of the extension, return and intermediate panels of the lateral display portion also bearing likenesses of the garment being displayed, the likenesses on the lateral display portion being substantially similar in appearance to the likeness on the body portion except reduced in size. 